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Who looks after National Parks?

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National Parks are vast spaces.

Farmland, towns, villages, nature reserves, rivers, lakes, valleys, beaches and mountains. Lots of people and organisations help to look after them. While National Parks are “protected landscapes”, they are also managed landscapes – and a network of custodians each play their part in making them special.

Peak District National Park Ranger repairing Dry Stone Walling
Peak District National Park Ranger repairing Dry Stone Walling

Did you Know?

Across the 15 National Parks, there is a resident population of almost half a million people (446,987)

Custodians of the land

Farmers, foresters, and local communities are integral to National Parks.

The land within the boundaries of National Parks is owned by a variety of people and organisations. Each plays a vital role in the conservation and enhancement of these treasured landscapes.

National Park Authorities

Each National Park is looked after by an organisation called a National Park Authority, which includes members, staff and volunteers.

Each National Park authority employs between 50 to 200 members of paid staff. The roles are incredibly varied, with a mix of those out in the field such as rangers and guides, and those working in offices on duties such as planning and administration.

Members

National Park authorities have between 10 and 30 Board members and one chairman (called a Convenor in Scotland) who represents them. The members take advice from staff and make decisions about what the National Park authority should do. Members do not work for the National Park authority full time.

Most of the members come from local and parish councils in the National Park. Some members are appointed by government because they have specialist knowledge and experience in areas like the environment or rural communities.

Volunteers

Volunteers are the lifeblood of National Parks and so much is achieved because of their dedication and commitment.

People like to volunteer for National Parks because they get to be outside in beautiful countryside, mix with other people, keep fit and know that they are helping to look after these precious landscapes.

Our volunteers do lots of different jobs, such as leading guided walks, fixing fences, dry stone walling, planting trees, checking historic sites and surveying wildlife.

Partners

There are lots of organisations that work to protect natural and cultural heritage and many of them own land within National Parks.

The National Trust and the Forestry Commission own large areas of moorlands and woodlands. Other organisations like the RSPB, the Wildlife Trusts, the Woodland Trust, English Heritage and NatureScot own nature reserves and historic sites within National Parks.

National Parks UK

National Parks UK brings together the 15 National Park Authorities in the UK to raise the profile of the National Parks and to promote joint working.

Find out more

What is a National Park? , Find out more

Some of the basics about what makes a National Park special.

History of National Parks , Find out more

The story of the creation of the UK's National Parks.

A week on from National Parks UK’s Big Volunteer Weekend, we’re still celebrating the people who make a difference across our National Parks.

Last weekend, hundreds of people came together across all 15 National Parks to give their time, share their skills and support our landscapes.

But volunteering in our National Parks doesn’t happen just one weekend a year. All year round, volunteers play an incredible variety of roles – from leading guided walks and supporting education, to conservation, planting and caring for our landscapes.

Every volunteer makes a valuable contribution to protecting our natural and cultural heritage. We simply couldn’t do what we do without you. 💚

So, to all our volunteers: thank you for your time, energy, enthusiasm and everything you bring to our National Parks.
If you know someone who volunteers in a National Park, help us spread the thanks by sharing this post. 🌿

#Volunteers #NationalParks #NationalParksUK
It’s the Autumn Equinox 🍂

Our National Parks are always changing in time with the rhythm of nature, but this becomes particularly noticeable when autumn arrives.

Deer begin to rut, spiders’ cobwebs glisten in the fresh light, fungi become more prominent, and leaves begin to change colour.

What changes have you noticed so far? 🧡

#Autumn #AutumnEquinox #NationalParks
Autumn brings some unusual visitors to the @newforestnpa 🐷🍂

As the leaves turn and acorns begin to carpet the Forest floor, you might spot a few more snouts among the trees.

Each autumn, New Forest Commoners exercise an ancient right known as pannage – turning their pigs out to forage for fallen acorns, beech mast and other natural foods that might be harmful to other grazing animals.

It’s a tradition that has been part of life in the New Forest for many years. Just like many of our Parks, it shows how these landscapes are shaped by history and the unique ways of working that protect the environment. 

📸This beautiful photograph was captured by @hang_ross76. 

#NewForestPigs #Autumn #NewForest
🍂 Autumn is creeping in, and the nights are slowly drawing in around us. But darkness isn’t just something we notice. For countless bugs, it’s essential.

Two-thirds of invertebrates are partially or wholly nocturnal, relying on the natural rhythm of night and day to feed, move, reproduce and survive. Yet increasing light pollution is disrupting this vital nighttime world. 🐜

September is an active time for bugs - spiders seek shelter, wasp colonies reach their peak size, and many are migrating or laying overwintering eggs. 

Our National Parks are home to some of the UK’s darkest skies and important habitats where we can protect the darkness that bugs depend on. 

Together, we can help even the smallest of species to thrive.

Clips via @buglife_ict 
1 & 2: Moth © Patrick Chadwick
3: Running Crab Spider © Patrick Chadwick
4: Millipede © Patrick Chadwick
5: Common glow-worm (Lampyris noctiluca) © Kristian Pikner
6 & 7: Ringlet butterfly roosting © Patrick Chadwick
8: Wasp © Patrick Chadwick

#BugLife #DarkSkies #NationalParks